Mary Fornes, LMFT, LMFT — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Mary!

I’m a licensed therapist who helps clients untangle overwhelm, heal old wounds, and reconnect with their sense of strength and clarity. My practice offers a calm, grounded space where you can move at your own pace and feel supported as you create meaningful change.

My focus

I work with adults carrying the long-term impact of childhood trauma—people who grew up with chaos or emotional neglect and now feel those patterns in their relationships or nervous system. I help you slow down, understand what’s happening inside, and gently heal the parts working so hard to protect you.

My approach

My approach is gentle, collaborative, and deeply attuned to your nervous system. I use IFS to help you understand the protective parts of yourself, EMDR to reprocess painful memories, and Polyvagal‑informed tools to help your body feel calmer and more regulated. Together, we move at a pace that feels right for you, creating space for clarity.

My communication style

I communicate in a way that is direct yet always attuned to your nervous system and emotional cues. I offer structure when it’s helpful and spaciousness when you need room to breathe. My tone is collaborative and reassuring, helping you feel safe enough to explore deeper layers of your experience.

My goals for you

I help you set goals that feel meaningful and realistic, then break them into manageable steps. We check in regularly to see what’s shifting and what support you need. I offer steady guidance and reflection so you can move toward lasting change at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.

Our first session

In our first session, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in and what you hope will feel different. I’ll ask gentle questions, check in often, and move at your pace. By the end, you’ll have a sense of your goals and what our work together can look like—without pressure to share more than you’re ready for.

I identify as...

Female
Asian
Christian

Expertise

Specialties

Anxiety

Personality Disorders

+ 10 more

Treatment approaches

EMDR

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Psychodynamic

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Motivational Interviewing

+ 5 more

Focus populations

BIPOC

Military/Veterans

Police/Fire/First Responders

+ 3 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Allegiance
Allied
Arlo
Ascension-SmartHealth

+ 17 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Mary Fornes